I was quite involved in high school. I was a four year member of the choir, attended every dance, logged community service hours, but some of my favorite memories come from a goal I'd had since I was a toddler.
When I was a teen, all I wanted to do was be a cheerleader. In high school, I thought the girls who were on the squad were elite and popular. Being the outcast and nerd that I was (and still am) I thought that making it on the squad would take me to a whole new level of popularity.
When I broached the subject about trying out with my parents, they were less than pleased. My mom told me that I wasn't the cheerleader "type". I wasn't born and raised a mean girl and I wasn't exactly flexible like many of the girls on the sidelines. However, I had a goal and I was going to do whatever I could to reach that goal.
Winter Cheerleading, 2008 season
I tried out for winter cheerleading during my freshman year. We had to learn a dance and a couple of cheers. The day that the list was posted of who made the squad, I was sad to learn that I didn't make the cut.
Winter cheerleading was a lot less of a time commitment when compared to fall cheerleading. The winter cheerleaders performed at the mens and women's home basketball games. There was no traveling required and games were usually no more than two times a week. Even the practice schedule was light, just twice a week after school on Tuesday and Thursday.
When the opportunity came up to tryout for the winter squad during my junior year, I went out for it full force. I took tumbling classes at a local gym and befriended one of the fall cheerleaders who taught me the cheers and dances required for the tryout. When the list was posted during my junior year, I couldn't believe that I had made the squad.
I won't ever forget how sore I was after each practice or how much work went into preparing for the upcoming season. IcyHot became my best friend and I learned the value of dedication and preparation that it takes to truly go after something you want. When I first took the court for our first ever halftime performance, I loved it.
Winter Cheerleading, 2009 season
As we wrapped up the season in 2008, I knew I had to make the squad for the 2009 season, my senior year. The years I spent on the basketball court in 2008 provided me with so many memories that I wanted to complete another season before I said goodbye to the sport of cheerleading.
Being that I had made the squad in 2008, the veterans of the squad were given higher priority when it came to tryouts. I worked my butt off for weeks before tryouts and was excited when I made the squad for my senior year.
Since I was a senior, myself and another girl, were voted as captains of the squad. As one of the oldest members of the team, I had to lead and show the younger members of the squad what it meant to represent their school as a cheerleader. It wasn't about the glitz and glamour, or about the sparkly pompoms and high ponytails. Being a cheerleader meant showing your spirit and supporting your team through the good times and the bad times.
I remember vividly when I put my uniform on for the last time. I was so heartbroken that this whole experience was going to end. I had only done the sport for two years but I worked so hard to become a member of the squad. I couldn't believe that by the end of the girls basketball game, I'd be a West Morris Central Cheer alumni. When the final buzzer went off and I put my pompoms back in the locker room for good, I cried.
Looking back now, cheerleading taught me so many lessons. The hard work and dedication that I put into becoming a member of the squad taught me that if you really want something bad enough, you'll put in the effort to achieving it. Cheerleading also taught me that being supportive and rooting for your peers is just as important as cheering on yourself. You have to believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. You can't cheer on other people if you don't have faith in your own life.
However, I think the most important lesson I learned was that just because you do something, you won't gain popularity. What I gained through cheerleading was the ability to learn that if you truly have a desire to do something, you'll do it. Making that squad, seeing my name on the team list, it was all incredible. However, it's the hard work, sweat, and dedication that made it possible. This wasn't some act of God and I didn't pray to make the team, I busted my behind to get where I wanted to be.
Cheerleading will always be a favorite memory of mine from high school. I still have my varsity jacket and two varsity letters. While the jacket may not fit like it once did, I will never forget the moments and memories in my heart.
GO WOLFPACK!
Signing off,
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